Brit couples reveal their most common household arguments including leaving the lights on and temperature disagreements

LEAVING lights on in unoccupied rooms and disagreeing on the temperature for the heating are the top arguments couples have around the house.

The poll of 2,000 co-habiting adults explored the biggest sources of tension in British households, with the volume of the TV and how to correctly stack the dishwasher also among the top 30.

Other things that cause couples to bicker include using up the last of the milk and not saying anything, squeezing rubbish into an already overflowing bin and leaving shoes in the middle of the floor.

And some things are noticed more by women than men – as 21 per cent complained about their other half not doing their fair share of the chores (versus 15 per cent of men).

While 15 per cent resent finding toilet roll cores anywhere except in the bin (versus 10 per cent of men).

A spokesperson for Utilita, which commissioned the research as part of its High5 campaign, which includes how turning the heating down by one degree can save the average household more than £100 a year, said: “It’s natural that certain topics may sometimes lead to small disagreements between couples.

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“And when you really think about it, most of these come down to tiny everyday habits that are easy to fix with a bit of teamwork.

“Finding a compromise that works for both parties can not only save unnecessary arguments but also, in some cases, even much needed cash.

“So, keep that in mind next time you reach for the thermostat dial in secret or before rushing out of the house without checking all the lights are off.”

The study also found that while 40 per cent of both genders claimed they tend to reach a compromise, 29 per cent of men considered themselves to be the winner the majority of the time, with just five per cent naming their partner as the victor.

While 19 per cent of women claimed they usually come out on top, with only five per cent saying it’s usually their other half.

In a similar vein, 29 per cent of women claimed to have the final say over the thermostat setting (compared to 15 per cent of men).

But this is likely to lead to hotter homes, as 41 per cent of women admitted they prefer the temperature warmer than their partner does.

Almost a third (32 per cent) also owned up to secretly turning up the dial when their other half isn’t looking, according to the OnePoll.com data.

When making this all-important decision on the thermostat setting, people are most likely to take into account their own comfort level (51 per cent) and the cost, (45 per cent), before their partner’s comfort (44 per cent).

Utilita’s spokesperson added: “We want to make sure everyone knows, regardless of their personal heating preferences, that saving energy doesn’t have to mean compromising on comfort.

“By making small, simple changes, you can keep everyone happy and cozy while lowering your bills.”